Action-Packed Foreign Policy Agenda Awaits PM Modi in 2019

NEW DELHI: An action packed foreign policy agenda awaits PM Narendra Modi during the first six months of his second term that includes meetings with the Presidents of USA, Russia, China and France.

After back to back SCO (Kyrgyzstan) & G-20 (Osaka, Japan) summits in June, Modi will head to Paris end August as an invitee for G-7 summit. Besides India, Australia, Chile and South Africa have been invited for the G-7 Summit under French Presidency. France has emerged as India’s key strategic partner in Europe with President Macron seeking to assume leadership role in the continent.

In Osaka, Modi is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump amid differences over trade, Iran and Afghanistan even as defence ties and Indo-Pacific partnership witness upward trajectory. Modi-Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe are also expected to meet in second Japan-America-India or JAI format on sidelines of G-20 Summit. Besides a standalone bilateral meet between Modi and Abe is in pipeline at Osaka. Plans are afoot for meetings between Modi and some other G-20 leaders.

Days after his Europe trip Modi is the Chief Guest at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok early September. India and Russia will also hold their annual summit in Vladivostok. The Russian President had invited Modi to attend Vladivostok meet when he was here for the annual summit last October. Russia seeks wider Indian presence in Far-east Russia to balance Chinese presence in the region

During the same month PM Modi heads to New York for UNGA and a Climate Change summit. The climate summit has been initiated by UN Secretary General and India has been asked to co-lead the Industry Transition Track along with Sweden.

Come November, he will travel to Brazil for BRICS Summit and Thailand for India-ASEAN and East Asia Summits. Besides Modi may plan to visit certain neighbouring countries over next few months besides hosting Japanese PM for annual summit. German Chancellor Angela Merkel could also visit India for Inter-Governmental Commission this year.

Source: ET

Image Courtesy: RT